Half-Term Permission Slip: Let It Be Messy, Let It Be Enough

Half-term is around the corner, and for many mums, that means the pressure dial gets turned all the way up.

Keep the kids happy. Manage work. Stick to a routine .Be available, calm, present. Don’t fall apart.

It’s a lot. And it’s okay if you're already feeling stretched.

But here's your permission slip:

You don’t need to have it all figured out.

This can be a week of flow, not force. A time to let go of the rigid plans and lean into what suits you and your family.

You’re allowed to:

• Make no plans.

• Take a slow morning.

• Let the house be messy.

• Say, “I need a minute.”

• Do something for yourself—and not feel guilty for it.

  
  

Because when you soften, your children feel it too.

3 Grounding Practices for When It Feels Like Too Much

When the energy is chaotic, and your nervous system is teetering on the edge, these practices can bring you back to centre—in less than 5 minutes.

1. Hand-to-Heart Breathing (for emotional overwhelm)

• Place one hand on your heart, one on your belly.

• Inhale deeply through your nose for 4 counts.

• Exhale slowly through your mouth for 6 counts.

• Repeat 5 times. As you breathe, whisper: I am here. I am safe. This moment is enough.

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Why it works: This activates the parasympathetic nervous system, bringing a sense of calm and safety.

2. Grounding Through the Senses (in the middle of noise or chaos)

Use the 5-4-3-2-1 method to anchor yourself in the present:

• 5 things you can see

• 4 things you can touch

• 3 things you can hear

• 2 things you can smell

• 1 thing you can taste or a kind phrase to say to yourself

  
  

Bonus: Do this with your child and turn it into a mindful moment together.

3. The “Barefoot Reset” (for stuck energy or low mood)

Step outside for 2 minutes—barefoot if you can. Feel your feet on the earth or floor. Notice the sensations: warm, cool, soft, rough. Take 3 long breaths. Let the exhale be longer than the inhale.

Why it helps: Being physically grounded helps regulate your nervous system and re-balance energy when it’s been too much in your head.

Co-Regulation: Supporting You and Your Children

Children don’t just need us to do things for them—they need us to be with them.

When we regulate our own nervous system, we offer them a calmer anchor.

Here are a few gentle co-regulation tools you can try this half-term:

• Breathing Together: Sit beside your child and say, “Let’s take three belly breaths together.” Make it a game: pretend you're blowing up a balloon or blowing out birthday candles.

• Safe Touch: A hand on their back. Stroking their hair. Holding their hand while taking a deep breath. These gestures calm both your nervous systems at once.

• Name It to Tame It: If your child is spiralling, calmly name what might be happening.“It feels like you’re having a really big feeling right now. I’m here with you. Let’s take a breath.”

Your Calm Is Not a Luxury—It’s a Resource

It’s okay if you're not the “fun mum” this week. It's okay if you're tired. It's okay if you need quiet. You are still a good mother.

And when you give yourself space to regulate, rest, and reconnect, you model something powerful:

That peace is something we can choose, moment by moment. That being human is enough. That rest is sacred.

This half-term, let the rhythm be yours.

Slow down. Drop the guilt. Let joy find its way back to you—through breath, presence, and small, sacred pauses.